LIquid diet??

I've been on a pre-op diet for 2 months now that has consisted of replacing 2 meals with a protein shake a day. Then the other two meals are protein and veggies, all low fat. Why are some on a liquid diet prior to surgery? I'm getting banded on Friday and i don't want to do anything that would hinder the results. Please advise.

I was put on all protein diet 2 weeks prior to surgery to lose weight and to shrink my liver then 3 days prior was a liquid diet no dairy products then now clear liquids no protien the day before surgery .. plus I am to take milk of magnesia today... yummy ... and then nothing post surgery for 48 hours .. My doctor is ultra conservative in tests etc .. I had treadmill EKG echocardiogram ultrasound of my abdomen upper gi/egd and chest x ray pulmonary function test mamo and pap then the labs were crazy i was tested for everything and i mean everything .. well at least I know I am in good heath i would call and ask the doc to see if he didn't forget something but then again my hub did not ever do half the crap i did and he has rny and was only on clear liquids 24 hours prior be well Lisa

Thanks for your reply.

I think every surgeon has their own program that they have found to be successful. Just follow your doctor's orders and you'll be fine (i'm laughing at myself here because for a moment or two I thought I should do a longer liquid diet than my surgeon required, but the Dave talked me down!!). My surgeon requires a 1 day liquid (all clear) diet for lapbanders, no bowel prep. For RNY he requires 2 days clear liquids and magnesium citrate bowel prep the night before surgery. Hope that helps Inky

You are right. I just have to keep reminding myself that my surgeon knows what he is doing and to follow his orders, not matter what I read. Thanks.

Sherra, My doctor required that I start the liquid diet 7 days before my surgery. It was tough the first couple of days....but I realized that I was not drinking enough protein shakes....once I started to drink more I didn't feel as hungry. Today I am on " liquid". My surgery is tomorrow. I think the best advise is to follow what your doctor tells you to do. I would have much rather have only had the 3 day liquids and been able to enjoy my son's birthday this past saturday but it is a sacrifice that i am totally willing to make to feel good about myself again. Hang in there...You will be just fine!!! Marcy

My doc requires a 2 week pre-op liquid diet, which I am currently on. Then the day before surgery, a bowel prep by drinking 2 bottles of magnesium citrate one at noon and again at 8. Everyone is different. Roz

Three big reasons for doing the liquid diet. 1. Shrink the liver so he has more room to do the procedure Lap instead of open incision. 2. It jump starts your weight loss process and you can get your sugar withdrawls over with. It really prepares you for how you will need to eat after the surgery. 3. NO BOWEL PREP! Yeahhhhh.Thank goodness my Dr does not have us do the bowel prep since we have been on liquids for 10 days. Each Dr tries different things until they find something that gets them the results they want consistantly. Mine mentioned how much better the surgeries have gone since he started having patients do the liquid diet. Hope this helps!

I forgot to give a shoutout to another "Sherra". My name is pronounced the same as yours. There are not alot of us out there!